Neon Tetra Habitat

[Bigguppy]

I know a group of neons does best with at least 10. What kind of native conditions would be good for them? What are some types of native plants. Substrate should be sand or crushed coral correct. What other types of fish do they interact with in nature?

Any help will be appriciated.

 

[Indigo]

probably crushed coral wouldn't be a good thing since neons are fans of softer water. the coral will prolly raise your kH and pH. From what I know of the amazon basin, lots of wood Let it leach and give you the tannins for the water stain

 

[Sum-X]

You should check out some Bio Tope sites on the natural habitat for Neon Tetras... But being from SA, they're gonna want soft water, somewhat warm, and lots of shady plants.

 

[carttman]

I don't know if the interact with each other in nature, but I have a 29 gallons tank with 11 Cardinal Tetras, 10 Rummy Nose Tetras, and 4 Otos. I have a substrate with natural color gravel and my plants are plastic. I'm in the process of getting live plants.

 

[carttman]

My bad with the above post. When I think of neon tetras I also think about Cardinal tetras. Probably because they looked so much alike.

 

[Mr.Fish]

Biotope Sights

You are correct, lots of wood in water, minimal plants, low light. soft, slightly acid water....NO CORAL or they'll die - too much mineral/latent salts.

http://www.mongabay.com/fish/biotope.htm#South%20American%20Blackwater%20Stream

http://badmanstropicalfish.com/bio-type.html

http://neodat.org/

 

[aquariumfishguy]

You might be looking in the wrong direction. Not to sound negative, but fish usually cannot get natural conditions with most water across America (or Canada, Europe, Asia, etc.). Consistency is the best thing for fish at this point, although neon’s like softer water above all else. A lower pH is a good thing with these fish.